Arsenal star preparing to push through pain barrier and play with broken toe - Reports

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is reportedly ready to push through pain to face Chelsea on Sunday, November 10, despite dealing with a broken toe. As reported by the Daily Mail, Mikel Arteta is ready to offer his star midfielder every opportunity to be fit for the weekend.

The Gunners have endured a rather difficult start to the season and currently find themselves fifth in the table. After ten games in the Premier League this campaign, they have secured 18 points and are already seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal have failed to win their last three league games and also faced a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. Declan Rice sat out of the game against I Nerazzurri with a foot injury he suffered in the Gunners' 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.

It has now been revealed that Rice has suffered a broken toe but Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule him out for the Chelsea game. The Spaniard is ready to make a late decision on the availability of the 25-year-old ahead of his side's trip to Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mail even suggests that Arteta could play his star midfielder despite his injury given his side's current situation. They are level on points with Enzo Maresca's Chelsea who are fourth in the table thanks to their better goal difference.

Liverpool and Manchester City are currently seven and five points clear of the north London giants, respectively. Arteta knows that a defeat to Chelsea could see a premature end to his side's title ambitions.

Declan Rice has been a key player for Arsenal since his £105 million switch from West Ham United in 2023. The England international has made 64 appearances for Mikel Arteta's side so far, scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists.

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Arsenal wanted Barcelona star in the summer but the player decided to stay: Reports

Arsenal reportedly made a failed attempt to sign Raphinha from Barcelona in the summer. As reported by The Mirror (via Barca Universal), Edu, who left the position of the Gunners' sporting director recently, got in touch with the former Leeds United forward.

Raphinha reportedly sought assurances over playing time but ended up staying at Camp Nou and snubbing Arsenal. Mikel Arteta will certainly be frustrated after missing out on the Brazil international given how he has performed this season.

The technically gifted winger has scored 12 goals and provided ten assists in 16 appearances across competitions this season.

The attacker was largely underwhelming for the Blaugrana following his reported £55 million switch from Leeds United in 2022. However, he has now established himself as a key player under Hansi Flick.